Alice Collinsworth
EDMOND — What’s a small business owner to do about making major decisions when he or she has no board of directors?
The Alternative Board provides an answer to that question by organizing groups of business owners to serve as each other’s “board members.”
TAB groups meet once a month for half a day to discuss their business issues; facilitators then supply a once-a-month coaching session with each member.
Arthur J. Miller of Edmond is a TAB-certified facilitator and business coach who oversees one of two Oklahoma City-area TAB groups. His group met Thursday at Endex of Oklahoma offices near Interstate 40 and Council Road.
“The only similarity among the members is the size of our business,” said Keith Jones, Endex owner and president. “Typically we don’t have two people from the same industry.”
This is the second TAB group membership for Jones, who has been involved for about seven years.
“It’s very helpful because most small business owners don’t have the luxury of having a board of directors,” he said.
Steve Walden, president of Asset Disposition Group Inc. of Edmond, is new to the organization.
“This is only my second meeting, and it’s been challenging already,” he said. “It will be very helpful to me because I need a lot of wisdom, and I felt like I could get it here.”
Elbert Flickner, owner/broker of Express Realty in Edmond, said the TAB group has been a great resource for his business.
“We had expanded greatly, and all of a sudden you realize you need to focus on customer service as well as growth and organizational strategy,” he said. “The other members provide help with organization and direction.”Miller began facilitating TAB groups in 2006. His franchise is one of about 250, most of which are in North America.
He said the board members are free to give “unvarnished” advice and counsel to one another as non-competitors.
TAB members pay an initial business assessment fee, then monthly dues are based on the size of their business.
Members receive advice on numerous issues, including human resources, insurance, relationships with state agencies, advertising and virtually any other concern.
“It’s great to see a small business owner be successful in growing their business,” Miller said.
“It’s a very affordable process for business owners who can seek guidance from people who have no vested interest in their operations.”
acollinsworth@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 117
